NCJ Number
4546
Date Published
1964
Length
204 pages
Annotation
PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORY ON THE NATURE OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR, BASED ON MODERN EXPERIMENTAL WORK IN LEARNING AND CONDITIONING.
Abstract
PROFESSOR EYSENCK ARGUES THAT IT IS CONSCIENCE WHICH MAKES PEOPLE BEHAVE IN A MORAL AND SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE MANNER, AND THAT CONSCIENCE IS THE PRODUCT OF A LONG PROCESS OF CONDITIONING. BEHAVIORAL RESEARCH INDICATES THAT A GREAT NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE A HEREDITARY PREDISPOSITION TO FORM WEAK AND FLEETING CONDITIONED RESPONSES, AND HE FEELS THAT THIS IS A POWERFUL CAUSE OF CRIMINAL CONDUCT. HE SUGGESTS CHANGES IN TREATMENT PROGRAMS FOR ACTUAL AND POTENTIAL CRIMINALS, EMPHASIZING CONDITIONING METHODS.